This article investigates the extent to which the observed sex differences in older adults’ disabilities can be attributed to sex differences in socioeconomic status. Carrying out a mapping review of the available evidence, we found that sex differences in the distribution of socioeconomic conditions could only partially explain this sex gap. We also found large variation in the magnitude of both the sex gap in disabilities and in the proportion that could be attributed to differences in socioeconomic conditions. Our findings suggest that only part of gender health differences can be alleviated through policies targeting gender inequalities in socioeconomic conditions, and the rest may be related to biological factors, requiring health systems’ response. The article is based on research carried out as part of the FutureGEN project. Read the article here!
